Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 5th ODI, Match Story

Pakistan have already won the series but with their key players in fine form, the hosts would look to grind Sri Lanka further as the two sides lock horns for the final ODI. What a turnaround this has been for Pakistan after a dismal year.

Pitch report : Dry cracks not key

Experts felt the dry cracks on the pitch would not really play a big part but the bowlers needed to be patient on a surface where any score in excess of 250 should be be competitive.

Pakistan had got off to a solid start and looked like they would make Sri Lanka wait for their first breakthrough. However, that was not to be as Lakmal snuffed outAhmed Shehzad as the hosts suffered their first loss.

Lasith Malinga has been Sri Lanka's trump card in ODIs for a few years now and their strike bowler took the lead to rattle Pakistan with the first of his two quick wickets when he removed a solidSharjeel Khan, who was stitching a nice partnership in the company of Mohammad Hafeez.

16.1 overs : Malinga strikes again

This wicket belonged more to Dilshan, who took a sensational catch at point to see offSohaib Maqsood as Pakistan slipped after what looked like a promising start to their innings. The onus was now on Hafeez, who was joined by his captain in the middle to steady the shift.

They might have had some rather public fallouts but the two senior Pakistani batsmen have been in fine ODI form this year and the duo got together again today, to steady their side. The pair brought up their 50-run stand in good time and was keen to push Sri Lanka against the wall.

28.3 overs : Mathews strikes

Hafeez was looking dangerous and Pakistan had rested a lot of their hopes on him today but he fell to the Sri Lankan captain for a well made 41 as the tourists attempted another comeback.

Skipper leads from the front : Misbah hits 35th ODI fifty

Misbah cracked Lasith Malinga for a six to bring up a solid half-century as the Pakistan captain led from the front yet again against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack in Abu Dhabhi.

But Malinga had the last laugh when Misbah clipped the next ball down the leg side to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara as Sri Lanka reaped the rewards for a period of sustained pressure bowling.

Mendis weaves his magic : Umar Akmal the victim

Pakistan's innings now lay in tatters after Mendis picked up the dangerous Umar Akmal. Pakistan's hopes of a good total were fast fading as Sri Lanka continued to apply the pressure on the hosts, who had elected to bat.

40.5 overs : Malinga snares four

Malinga continued to wreck havoc on Pakistan, packing off Abdur Rehman for 1, putting Sri Lanka in a very good position against a powerful Pakistani attack. The Lankans were sure at that stage that they were not chasing too many.

46th to 47th overs : Pakistan sinking

With the tail exposed, Pakistan were in danger of collapsing before reaching the 200-run mark but they were lucky to get past the psychological mark despite a run out which claimed Umar Gul.

Anwar blitz : Sri Lanka frustrated

Pakistan were headed for a paltry total before Anwar Ali struck two fours and a six in the course of his 38-ball 41 not outto help the hosts build some sort of respectability against the Sri Lankans.

50th over : Lakmal finishes things off

Lakmal picked up the last two wickets off successive balls in the last over as Pakistan were bundled out for 232, a total that would have seemed a far cry after the middle-order collapse.

Innings update : Malinga destroys Pakistan

Malinga picked up 4/57 while Lakmal pocketed 3/42 as Pakistan were shot out for 232. The hosts would have been dismissed for far cheaper had it not been for the efforts of Misbah (51) and Hafeez (41) at the top of the order and a cameo from Ali (41 not out) in the latter stages of the innings.

Perera on fire : SL off to blistering start

Perera clobbered 47 off 41 balls as Sri Lanka raced away to a great start in pursuit of 233 against Pakistan in the final ODI. Perera's onslaught brought back memories of Sanath Jayasuriya in full bloom as Dilshan watched from the other end in awe.

12.2 overs : Hafeez stops Perera assault

It was that man Mohammad Hafeez again, who removed Perera when he was looking extremely dangerous and threatened to take the game completely away from Pakistan. But Hafeez's strike meant Pakistan were given a chance to at least make a fight of it.

Sri Lanka were riding high after an electrifying start to their chase before they were jolted in the middle of their innings by Junaid Khan, who picked up two key wickets to leave the tourists reeling. Under pressure, they also lost Priyanjan to Umar Gul.

Mathews exits : Sri Lanka rocked

Sri Lanka were tied down for 10 overs since Priyanjan's exit in the 31st overas Pakistan conceded only 29 runs, building the pressure on the tourists before Angelo Mathews danced down the track to up the ante only to inside edge it on to the pads for Umar Akmal to complete the catch. Advantage Pakistan.

Sri Lanka slip further : Pakistan snuff out more wickets

Ajmal struck to remove Vithanage in the 44th overwhile Junaid picked up his third to see offSenanayake in the next over to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 195/8, with a consolation victory all but out of the question.

Chandimal on fire : Pakistan blown away

Sri Lanka were almost out of the game after they were reduced to 195/8 in the 46th over even though Chandimal was looking strong at the other end. With Ajantha Mendis at the other end, he could not have been blamed if Sri Lanka failed to get across the line.

However, Chandimal played the waiting game to perfection as he rotated the strike beautifully with Mendis (19 off 14 balls) and added 40 off 4.1 overs to take Sri Lanka home.

Mendis connects : And Sri Lanka are home

Mendis is not exactly known for his batting prowess and the Sri Lankan team would have had their hearts in their mouths when Chandimal took a single to leave Mendis to get two off four balls. Mendis missed the third ball of the last over but a weird looking shot off the next sent the ball racing over the extra-cover fence with Sri Lanka notching up a thrilling win.

Match update : Chandimal's cool head does it

Sri Lanka were off to a fine start in pursuit of 233 and the opening stand of 75 between Perera and Dilshan would have reassured the dressing-room. However, once the two departed, the tourists lost their way to some splendid Pakistani bowling, led by Junaid Khan.

But it was Chandimal's day and he was in no mood to let the moment slip away, carving out a great knock under pressure as Sri Lanka finished the series 3-2.

Quotes : Misbah left disappointed

Misbah:"It would have been nice to win 4-1 and I amdisappointed to lose this game. We fought back well but lost it in the last three overs. The pitch was slow but we were 25 runs short."

Chandimal:"I am over the moon. It was difficult to bat on these kind of wickets. Credit to Mendis for keeping cool and hitting a few at the end. I try to keep my head down and play every ball on its merit."

Mathews:"We were just good enough to win the game. Little disappointed with the batsmen who threw away their wickets after getting starts. Mahela and Rangana are back for the Tests. Yes, we are definitely looking forward to it."

A fine batting performance by Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla coupled with some excellent bowling from Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir helped South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 runs and take the T20I series 2-0.